Racing, royals and real estate: How this leader swapped the racetrack for property

Royals, racing and real estate might seem worlds apart, but they’re chapters in the same compelling story for One Agency’s Mindy Powell-Hodges.  

Her career has been defined by constant reinvention, moving between industries, countries and leadership roles, while finding ways to turn fresh challenges into growth opportunities.  

What has connected each chapter in Ms Powell-Hodges’ journey has been an ability to adapt quickly, surround herself with the right people and deliver under pressure. 

From global racing to leading brand transformations in Australian property, Ms Powell-Hodges has carved a reputation as someone who thrives in demanding environments.  

She brings the same energy to her current role as global head of membership at One Agency, where she has been focused on accelerating growth and shaping the future of the business with co-founders Paul and Annie Davies. 

For Ms Powell-Hodges, success has been about curiosity, collaboration and creating the conditions for others to flourish. 

“When we stop being curious, that’s when you become stale,” she said.  

“That’s why I love being around people who are curious.” 

That mindset has underpinned her journey, one that has taken her from high-stakes international racing events to the boardrooms of Australia’s largest real estate brands, and now to one of the country’s fastest-growing networks. 

How the race began

Her story began in Oklahoma in the United States, where her parents bred thoroughbred horses.  

In her 20s, she became one of the first executives to join the leadership team of a racetrack, before being recruited to work for the royal family in Abu Dhabi. 

“I was meant to be there for four months but ended up working for the royal family in Abu Dhabi for almost seven years, working as a director of publicity and marketing,” she said.  

She handled millions of dollars in horse racing sponsorship deals around the world for the family, putting on international events and more.  

In Dubai, Ms Powell-Hodges met her husband and welcomed their daughter. But on a family trip to Australia, the family decided to relocate down under and settle here permanently.  

The move offered opportunities for her husband as a boat designer, but it pushed Ms Powell-Hodges to reinvent herself. 

“The thoroughbred industry is very different to the rest of the world, so I reinvented myself and went into real estate,” she said.  

She started out as a real estate agent, but she eventually pivoted into operations.  

She took on roles at Harcourts, Ray White and Raine and Horne, steadily climbing into leadership positions. 

Then at the start of 2025, Ms Powell-Hodges joined One Agency, where founders Paul and Annie Davies were seeking to expand the business.  

“I’ve worked across different franchise groups, but I remember sitting and listening to Paul and Annie’s business model and thinking ‘this is the way of future,’” she said. 

“For any real estate agent who wants to own their own business and provide for themselves and their family, this model extends it to them so they can be anything.”  

She has wasted no time since joining, adding 17 new offices to the network with several more in the pipeline.  

Today the group has nearly 800 members across sales and property management. 

Retention across the network has also improved, something she credits to refreshing the foundation of the business and listening to members. 

Leading with curiosity  

As a business leader, Ms Powell-Hodges likes to surround herself with strong teams, encourage experimentation and give people space to fail and learn. 

“I see how younger people are trying new things in the industry, so I’m really curious and I love exploring these new ways,” she said.  

“I love allowing my team to go out, explore and mess things up.  

“We are just out there creating new things and making the industry stronger, and it’s helping the businesses who join us to thrive.”  

Outside of work, Ms Powell-Hodges has relished giving back to the industry, serving as an influencer with the Rise Initiative. 

The Rise Initiative is a not-for-profit that supports wellbeing in real estate, and mentors young professionals.  

Looking ahead, Ms Powell-Hodges remains clearly focused on One Agency and its growth. 

“For One Agency, it’s literally about growth,” she said.  

“It’s about telling the One Agency story and talking about our benefits and added value, not only to business owners but also to agents who are thinking about taking the next step and owning their own business.”  

It’s this energy and competitive streak that Ms Powell-Hodges has carried across industries and continents that drives her to seek the next challenge.  

And with One Agency in expansion mode, her next chapter looks set to be just as compelling as the ones that came before.  

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